A great start to a new year of reading . . . . and a Critter update

sooo . . . .some things in this year have started off a little grumble-fuzzley, but my year of reading has started off GREAT!!!!!

See. That's what I love about books and reading. Other things can be going all wonky in your life, but you can pick up a good book and "voila!" You've got something good to hang onto and even be happy about. Aren't books wonderful?

Anyway, the year starts by lil' ol' me winning a pack of books from Christina Farley's mega-generous book giveaway. Yeah! And to celebrate her generosity, I plan on giving away the books that I receive once I have finished them, so stay tuned. You may still get to share in the book give-away luv too.

Then . . . The first book that I completed in 2010 was "The Lightening Thief" by Rick Riordan. Wow! What a fun book. I could tell he had fun creating it. What a fun way to play with Greek Mythology!!!! When I finished this book it made me think about how thoughts and well-placed words are like an elaborate Tinker-Toy set or Leggo's or something like that. Mr. Riordan had all these Mythological creatures to play with, and he brought them into the modern world and took all those parts to create something fun and new. "The Lightening Thief" isn't just a book. It is Rick Riordan's playground and he's letting us play along too. So much fun!

The second book that I read was a debut novel by Pam Bachorz, titled "Candor" It came out in late 2009 and I would say this is a book to put high on your To-Be-Read-Pile.

If I were to describe this YA novel in 4 words it would be: "Stepford Wives meets Pleasantville"

A grieved father created a picture-perfect town where all kids mysteriously begin to change their rebellious ways soon after their arrival. He has no idea that his only living son knows the truth; the people of Candor are being brainwashed by hidden messages. The founder's son has created a way to avoid the messages that seek to dominate his mind and he has made it his business to help the newcomers escape before it's too late. But when Nia, the most recent newcomer to Candor, arrives, he can't decide if he should help her escape because if she leaves, that would mean losing her forever. He's living a fine line between deceit and truth.

I finished this book in less than 24 hours. It's a flashlight-worthy page-turner. on a scale from 1-5 I would give it a 4. The only reason I wouldn't give it a 5 is because I wasn't fully satisfied withe the ending. I would have liked a little more resolution regarding Nia. I won't explain anymore, because I don't want to spoil any of the book for you. This book is best read without knowing the spoilers.

Way to go Pam Bachorz, for a fabulous debut novel. And thanks for a great read!

And . . . for even more exciting news, there has been a Critter siting. He is now in New England where he has hung on a Christmas tree, played in the snow and it has been discovered that he curiously looks like the Avatar charaters as well as Indian Na'vi art. hmmmmm . . . . is Critter a mystical creature as well?

You must visit Nandini's blog to see what Critter is up to. Be sure to leave Nandini a message and say "Hello!"



Isn't it sweet how Critter brings folks together. I'm feeling all warm and mushy inside.